Dissociation/flashbacks During Therapy

[xanabilify]

My therapist told me that I’m allowed to put in my earphones during therapy when I start having flashbacks or when I start getting distressing thoughts.. but I don’t want to come across as being rude. And what’s the point of going to therapy if I’m going to listen to music?

Has anyone done this before?

 

[DMerish]

If your T told you to, then just go with it for now . . . He/She probably just wants to observe you when you're in that state and hopes for you to feel comfortable being in that state while you're around him/her.

When I first began therapy many years ago I could not sit still in a chair or couch and think, feel, listen or speak at the same. But I could if I was allowed to stand and walk around and for a fair amount of time if I sat on the floor cross legged with my hands on my thighs.

 

[Upside Down Eagle]

Sometimes being at ease is more important than whether you come across as rude or not. Especially if your therapist has told you that it is okay, then it is okay, and everybody is going to understand.

I walk around with headphones on all the time, because otherwise I just can't manage. When somebody wants to talk to me I take them off. Or if I have a panic attack and I don't want to take them off, I just nod.

 

[HelenB]

Therapy for me is about finding a safe place where I can work through all the things which are coming up but to also build resources to be able to also find that safety when things are happening outside the setting too. For me music is a big part of this and I have personally written a few songs which I find so helpful too, and also help me feel safe. Being able to use these within my therapy too I have found very helpful - though as my music is all on my phone we can both hear it when I do put a song on. I definitely don't think it takes anything away from the therapy, but just helps me more and more to access that safe place, and with my therapist beside me this can help so much more too and really help me come to a place where I do feel more and more that I can face these things and can find safety within it too.

I hope for you too that you are able to find that safety wherever you need it and if music helps that for you too then really do think it is such a good and valuable resource.

God bless
Helen

 

[Jane.l]

Actually I think it's a good idea - I might try it - I find it hard to get back when I am dissociating and impossible in flashback - the only problem I can see is actually being capable of putting the music on , headphones to ears etc hope it helps you - let us know

 

[WillyKat]

I agree with some of the things others have said. My guess is that this is all about you feeling safe and perhaps bringing you back from your dissociation. I suspect that this may be a temporary thing until you're used to therapy and the dissociation during therapy subsides.

In other words, you can't do therapy while you're dissociated either, but music may bring you back so that therapy can continue.